AN/APG-79 AESA

Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar

The world’s only air-to-air and air-to-surface

multimode AESA radar in production today,
the APG-79 provides Super Hornet aircrews
with incomparable detection, targeting,
tracking, and protection.

Benefits
Agile Beam Radar Enhances Powerful New Functions and weapon replaceable
Situational Awareness Increase Flexibility assemblies (WRAs), the APG-
<< Network-centric capabilities 79 demonstrates a significant
for close cooperation on the As the world’s most advanced An advanced four-channel
tactical radar, the AN/APG-79 receiver/exciter gives the increase in reliability over its
battlefield
makes fighter aircraft more APG-79 wide bandwidth predecessors. It also offers
<< Simultaneous targeting of greater affordability over the
multiple air and ground threats lethal and less vulnerable capability and the ability
than ever before. Featuring to generate a broad spectrum life of the radar. The ultra-
<< Dramatically increased range thin, light antenna (the array
active electronic beam steer- of waveforms for air-to-air,
and resolution weighs only 95 pounds) has an
ing — which allows the radar air-to-ground and electronic
<< Greater lethality and beam to be repositioned nearly warfare missions. The APG-79 extremely low failure rate, with
survivability no maintenance predicted for
instantaneously — the APG-79 radar can track significantly
<< Reduced aircrew workload enables image resolution, and more targets than current 10 to 20 years. In addition, the
targeting and tracking ranges, radar systems and can operate modular design of the WRAs
<< Lower maintenance and
upgrade costs significantly greater than the in multiple air-to-air and air- makes hardware/software mod-
radar it replaces. to-ground modes simultane- ule repairs faster, easier, and
ously. In response to less expensive. The design per-
With these enhanced capabili- mits built-in testing, software
mission requirements, its built-
ties, aircrews can now detect isolation, and easy upgrades,
in resource manager auto-
and identify targets beyond resulting in significantly
matically schedules tasks to
the reach of most missiles. reduced total ownership costs.
optimize radar functions and
The APG-79’s long standoff minimize aircrew workload. Network-Centric Capabilities
range also allows more time and Future Enhancements
Open Systems Architecture
for persistent target observa-
Improves Affordability and The APG-79’s flexibility and
tion, information sharing,
Performance versatility make it an impor-
and assessment by command-
With its open systems architec- tant addition to the modern
ers before critical decisions
ture, incorporating military’s networked bat-
are made. The result: greatly
ruggedized commercial off- tlespace. Built with secure,
increased aircraft and aircrew
the-shelf (COTS) components interoperable technology, this
effectiveness and survivability.
 AN/APG-79 AESA

leading edge radar enhances the sharing of information with Specifications

manned, unmanned, and ground-based systems for close coop-
Platform F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (approved for
eration on the battlefield. It offers the F/A-18E/F the capability to international customers)
perform as an essential node in the air and ground global infor-
Reliability >15,000 hr MTBCF array, >1,250 hr
mation network. MTBCF system
Currently deployed on the F/A-18E/F, the APG-79 offers revolu- Weight 95 lb array, 650 lb total system weight
tionary technology and scalability that can be adapted to other
platforms. Raytheon and the U.S. Navy continue to develop
enhanced sensor features through sensor fusion and sensor inte-
gration that leverage the inherent capabilities of the APG-79.

Capabilities Design Features

< Agile beam forming (permits < Solid-state digital radar with
thousands of beam positions agile moving beam
per second)
< Lightweight, highly reliable tile
< Interleaved radar modes, array architecture
including air-to-air and
< Modular software and hard-
air-to-ground
ware, including weapon
< Multiple radar modes replaceable assemblies
including:
< Ruggedized COTS-based
– Real beam mapping
common integrated sensor
– Synthetic aperture radar
processor
– Air-to-air search
– Air-to-air track < Multi-channel receiver/exciter
– Sea surface search with programmable waveforms
– Ground moving target
indication/track < Designed to support FORCEnet,
the U.S. Navy’s vision for a fully
networked battlespace

Air-to-air

Air-to-ground

SAR imagery

Communication

The multimode interleaving and net-centric capabilities of the APG-79 offer substantially increased situational awareness. Raytheon Company
Space and Airborne Systems
2000 E. El Segundo Blvd.
P.O. Box 902
El Segundo California
90245-0902 USA

www.raytheon.com

Cleared for public release, 265SPR-138.05. Copyright © 2009 Raytheon Company.

Customer Success Is Our Mission is a registered trademark of Raytheon Company.
Printed in the USA. RSAS IMS 5/09 4247701